If you’re thinking about driving for Uber in London and don’t own the right vehicle, PCO car hire can look like the easiest way to get started. But a weekly price on a website doesn’t tell you whether it’s actually worth it for you.
How PCO Car Hire Works in London in 2026
What “PCO car hire” actually means
PCO car hire is specialised rental service that provides drivers with fully licensed private hire vehicles.
When you sign up for pco car hire, you’re not just renting a car. You’re paying for a complete work tool that’s ready to earn on platforms like Uber, Bolt and other licensed operators.
With a good provider, your weekly fee usually includes:
- Use of a fully licensed pco car
- Private hire insurance (hire & reward, passenger and public liability cover)
- Servicing, maintenance and MOT
- Road tax
- Help with TfL vehicle licensing and paperwork
This “all‑in‑one” structure is what separates pco car hire from normal car hire. You’re buying convenience, compliance and support, not just the vehicle.
Weekly PCO Costs: Typical Ranges and Extra Charges
Core weekly hire
Real London providers show a wide range of weekly prices depending on the car:
- Efficient hybrids and smaller cars from roughly £180–£230 per week
- Newer plug‑in hybrids and mid‑range SUVs around £230–£290 per week
- Premium or executive plug‑in hybrids from about £350–£450+ per week
Your exact quote will depend on the model, age and spec of the pco car you choose.
What’s not included
On top of your weekly payment, you still need to budget for:
- Fuel or EV charging
- Congestion Charge if you enter central London (from January 2026 the standard charge is £18 per day, with a reduced rate for fully electric vehicles registered on Auto Pay)
- Parking and any fines
- Cleaning and wear items (tyres, wiper blades, etc.)
- Damage outside normal wear and tear or insurance excess
Most companies also require a refundable deposit, which varies by provider and vehicle, so it should be factored into your start‑up budget.
Mileage and contract terms
Some pco car hire deals offer unlimited mileage; others cap your weekly miles and charge extra when you go over.
Contracts can also differ on:
- Minimum hire periods (e.g. 4–6 weeks or more)
- Notice needed to return the car
- Whether you can pause payments or take a “holiday” from driving
These points matter for your real cost and flexibility, so read them carefully before signing.
London Congestion Charge and ULEZ in 2026
For Uber and other private hire drivers, London’s road charges are a big part of the “is it worth it?” question.
- Introduced in 2 January 2026, the Congestion Charge is now £18 per day.
- Fully electric cars registered with Auto Pay receive a 25% discount, paying £13.50 per day.
- Electric vehicles remain completely exempt from ULEZ, which runs 24/7 across all Greater London boroughs.
If you work mainly in central London during chargeable hours, these daily fees can add up and need to be in your sums. If most of your trips are outside the zone or outside chargeable times, the impact is smaller.
What do Uber drivers earn in 2026
Independent insurance data shows that, across the UK, many Uber drivers earn around £15–£25 per hour after typical running costs.
In London specifically:
- Typical gross income is roughly £15–£25 per hour
- After fuel, car hire/finance and other expenses, many drivers end up with £15–£25 per hour net
Full‑time London drivers (around 40–50 hours per week) often report weekly takings in the region of £250–£800 after costs, depending on how efficiently and when they drive.
Your actual result will depend on:
- Hours and shift times
- Where you choose to work
- Your choice of pco car (fuel‑efficient hybrid vs executive plug‑in)
- How well you avoid dead mileage, low‑fare trips and fines
How to calculate your Uber earnings
You don’t need a complex tool to see if your pco car hire is sensible. You can do a quick check or use an online earnings or costs calculator on sites like calculators.tech with these steps:
- Estimate your weekly income
- Pick a cautious net hourly figure; many drivers use £15–£25/hour as a planning range.
- Multiply by the number of hours you can realistically drive each week.
- Subtract your fixed weekly costs
- Your pco car hire quote
- Fuel or charging
- Congestion Charge if you regularly enter the zone
- A small buffer for cleaning, parking and extras
- Ask what’s left
Is that amount still enough for your living costs and some savings, even if you have a quieter week?
If the number looks tight, you may need a cheaper car, more hours at peak times, or a different structure (for example rent‑to‑buy or owning a car) rather than straight hire.
Why Provider Choice and Customer Service Matter
Two pco car hire deals at similar prices can feel very different in real life. The difference is often customer service:
- Clear, honest explanation of costs and deposits
- Fast responses if you have a problem with the car
- Transparent handling of damage and excess
- Support with paperwork, apps and renewals
Good service means less downtime, fewer surprises and more time earning. Poor service can leave you off the road, stressed, and out of pocket.
When comparing companies, check reviews, speak to other drivers, and ask direct questions about what happens when things go wrong, not just when everything is perfect.
Is PCO Car Hire right for you?
PCO car hire can be an effective way to start or grow your Uber driving in London if you:
- Want a ready‑to‑work pco car without a big upfront purchase
- Prefer one weekly payment for the car, insurance and maintenance
- Plan to drive enough hours, at the right times, to cover your weekly costs comfortably
It might not be right for you if you only drive occasionally, strongly prefer to own a vehicle, or feel uneasy about a fixed weekly bill.
The best next step is to:
- List your realistic weekly hours
- Run the simple income‑minus‑costs calculation above
- Compare different pco car hire quotes and vehicle types
- Look closely at each provider’s customer service and contract terms
That way, your decision is based on clear numbers and your real situation.
Rapid PCO
Here at Rapid PCO we are a Professional PCO rental service designed to help you maximise your earnings with minimal hassle.
Our benefits include:
- Same-day collection so you can start earning quickly
- Comprehensive insurance included
- 24/7 roadside support to keep you on the road
- No credit checks with many plans, making it easy to get started
If you are interested in a PCO rental, you can browse our site here, or call us on 01732 747190 to find a vehicle that suits your work pattern.
